Exporting STL files from 3D software can be a tricky process, but with the right knowledge and tools, it’s easier than you think. In this article, we’ll discuss how to export STL files from various 3D software. We’ll look at the different formats available, the use cases of exporting STL files and how to optimize them for printability. With this information in hand, you’ll be able to confidently export your STL files quickly and accurately.
1.Alibre
- File
- Export
- Save As > STL
- Enter File Name
2.Ashlar-Vellum
- File > Export…
- Select STL Export Type
- Set Export Options to Binary > OK
- Enter Filename
- Save
3.AutoCAD
Your design must be a three-dimensional object, and the coordinate values are all positive.
- 1. Ensure that the target is a positive space (the coordinate value is positive)
- 2. Enter “FACETRES” at the command line
- 3. Enter a number between 1 and 10, 1 means low resolution, 10 means high resolution
- 4. Enter “STLOUT” at the command line
- 5. Select the target model
- 6. Input “Y” means output binary
- 7. Enter a file name – save
4.Autodesk Inventor
- 1. Save Copy As
- 2. Select STL
- 3. Choose Options > Set to High
- 4. Enter Filename
- 5. Save
5.CADKey
- 1. Select Stereolithography from Export
- 2. Enter the file name
- 3. Click OK
6.Catia
- 1. Select the STL command
- 2. Maximum Sag=0.0125 mm
- 3. Select the parts to convert to STL
- 4. Click YES, select export
- 5. Input the file name and output the stl file
7.I-DEAS
- 1. File > Export > Rapid Prototype File > OK
- 2. Select the Part to be Prototyped
- 3. Select Prototype Device > SLA500.dat > OK
- 4. Set absolute facet deviation to 0.000395
- 5. Select Binary > OK
8.IronCAD
- 1. Right Click on the part
- 2. Part Properties > Rendering
- 3. 150 Set Facet Surface Smoothing to 150
- 4. File > Export
- 5. Choose .STL
9.Mechanical Desktop
Use the AMSTLOUT command to output STL files
1.Angular Tolerance– Set the maximum angle difference between adjacent patches, the default is 15 degrees, reducing the accuracy of the STL file can be provided
2.Aspect Ratio–This parameter controls the height ratio of the triangle facet. 1 indicates that the height of the triangle does not exceed the width. The default value is 0, ignored.
3.Surface Tolerance–controls the maximum error between the edge of the triangle surface and the actual model. Set to 0.0000, this parameter will be ignored.
4.Vertex Spacing–controls the length of the side of the triangular facet. Defaults to 0.0000, ignored.
10. ProE / ProEngineer
1. File > Export >Model (or File > Save a Copy)
2. Set type to STL
3. Set (chord height) to 0. The value is then automatically set to the minimum acceptable value by the system.
4. Set the angle control to 1
5. Choose a file name
6. OK
11. ProE Wildfire
1. File > Save a Copy > Model
2. Change type to STL (*.stl)
3. Set the chord height to 0. The value is then automatically set to the minimum acceptable value by the system.
4. Set Angle Control to 1.5
5. Choose a file name
6. OK
12. Rhino
1. File > Save As Select File Type > STL
2. Enter the name of the STL file
3. Save
4. Select Binary STL Files
13. SolidDesigner
1. File > Save
2. File Type > STL
3. Select Data
4. Click OK
14. ScanIP
1. File > Export > STL…
2. Select the export section and the settings for the export section
3. Export
4. Enter the file name
5. Save
15. SolidEdge
1. File > Save As
2. Set the save file format to STL
3. Click Options
4. Set Conversion Tolerance to 0.0254mm
5. Set Surface Plane Angle to 45.00
6. Save
16. SolidWorks
1. File > Save As
2. Select the STL suffix
3. Options > Resolution > High Fine > OK
4. Save
17. Think3
1. File > Save As
2. Set the save file type to STL
3. save
18. Unigraphics
1. File> Export > Rapid Prototyping -> set the type to Binary (binary)
2. Set Triangle Tolerance to 0.0025
3. Set Adjacency Tolerance to 0.12
4. Set Auto Normal Gen to On
5. Set Normal Display to Off
6. Set Triangle Display to On
18. 3DMax
1. Select the model
2. File-Export-Format Selection STL
3. OK
